William R. Osborne. Divine Blessing and the Fullness of Life in the Presence of God. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, October 20th 2020. 160 pp.
5 out of 5
Purchase: Westminster | Amazon
Do you have a biblical view of God’s blessing? There are those today who get caught up with prosperity Gospel. That’s one error. But another error can arise that is born from over-reaction to the Prosperity Gospel in which God’s blessings are denies, downplayed or the subject is diverted. A biblical theology of blessing is much needed and I believe this book makes a unique contribution since most works against prosperity Gospel engages the topic more in a fashion of “systematic theology” but here with this book the author uses biblical theology in his methodology in tackling the blessing of God. This I think helps readers to see verses about blessing in its context and also in light of how God’s progressive revelation unfolded. The author is William R. Osborne , a Professor of biblical and theological studies at College of the Ozarks and he is more than qualified to write a biblical theology of God’s blessing from Genesis to Revelation.
Besides the acknowledgement and introduction this work consists of five chapters. Chapter one is titled “Blessing and Curse, Life and Death” with the next chapter on Abraham’s family and the blessing going through them to bless the world. Chapter three is titled “Covenant Blessing for God’s people” and chapter four looks at the topic of God’s blessing in the New Testament and is titled “Every Spiritual Blessing” giving reference to Ephesians 1:3 though it more than just a look at Ephesians 1:3. Chapter five is titled “Eternal Blessing” and is the shortest chapter in the book and here the author looks at God’s blessing eschatologically.
Osborne is to be commended for writing in an organized way. I also think since this work is written as a biblical theology there really wasn’t heated rhetoric against prosperity Gospel and might be helpful for those who might be sensitive to criticism of their prosperity Gospel (I do believe there is a place for speaking out strongly on the error of prosperity Gospel). I enjoy the march from Genesis to Revelation in the book and wished the author could have spent more time with Old Testament prophetic writings but I do realize there’s page limitation from the publisher, after all this is part of a series called “Short Studies in Biblical Theology” and one don’t expect it to be too long. Still given the page limitation the author did a good job laying out the trajectory and also explanation of various passages. Osborne spent more time in the book of Genesis more than any other books in the Bible in this work but I think this is warranted to set the “antecedent theology” (to use the term of another scholar on biblical theology!) that shapes the rest of the Bible with the subject of blessing. I appreciated that the book pointed out how often there’s many passages that tie God’s presence with believers’ being blessed.
I believe this is the eighth book I read from the “Short Studies in Biblical Theology” series published by Crossway. I have immensely enjoyed the previous titles in this series and this work is no different. I recommend this book.
NOTE: This book was provided to me free by Crossway and Net Galley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
Thanks for the great recommendation. I really appreciate your diligence in providing these reviews.
I have probably missed it but do you have a top 10 list of must reads?
Blessings.
Wow I need to make a top ten list, which I haven’t done before. Do you have a top ten list or top ten list post on your blog? It sounds like a great idea!
I like the phrase “antecedent theology”. which I assume refers to the Old Testament. Given the prosperity Gospel and its critics it’s good to understand what blessing is to avoid both extremes.
Antecedent theology refer to what the Bible taught on a given subject before a particular passage; it is helpful to know what is taught in the Word of God before a prophet spoke or wrote which is the background context for any given passage. But you are right it’s often is used in reference to the Old Testament and Old Testament passage! Thanks for reading this all the way! Happy Belated Father’s Day by the way.
This is a good gift to enlighten those leaning or susceptible to the properity Gospel. GOD willing, this will be a tool. Thank you for your review, Jim! Blessings to you and your family!
I thought the book focus on what the Bible says about this subject to be very helpful and non-combative. Hope you have a blessed upcoming Tuesday! Thanks also for telling me about that movie related to being a hero and not given proper credit for bravery
Probably, the Forrest Gump Vietnam war scene was inspired by that true story. The book will give them proper perspective/enlightenment.
I feel he was little rusty with how to handle Prosperity Gospel, Word of Faith, NAR types 😉
This book sounds like it would help
Thanks for the good review! Yes, we believers tend to overreact to the heresies of false gospel groups/sects and miss out on some good things from God. Protestants shunned Mary’s example of faithfulness in the gospels as an overreaction to RC’s Mariolatry. This definitely sounds like a book I would enjoy.
You are right about the imbalance. Good point and good example. Another example I see is how some presuppositionalists knowing that evidence is shape by one’s philosophy of evidence can go to the other extreme of thinking there’s no evidence for Christianity should ever be talked about. That one is one that hits close to home for me as a Van Tillian presuppositionalist! HOw is your first recovery day going??
RE: hyper anti-evidentialism
Good example! Another misguided overreaction is the disavowal of repentance as a part of trusting in Christ, even though the New Testament mentions it many times. Hyper-guardians of “by faith alone” think repentance as a work.
RE: recovery day
It’s hard to believe, but I actually “slept in”until 5 a.m. this morning. I mowed the backyard earlier, but the rest of the day is strictly couch duty and I’m not exaggerating. When does your Father’s Day celebration start? Does it include an outdoor barbecue?
Hope you’re enjoying your Father’s Day!! I have seen that book and didn’t buy it. Thanks for the review. Have you read others in the series?!
Thanks for the Father’s Day shout out.
I love these books in the series! These are the ones I enjoyed a lot:
Have you read any books in the series? How did you day go? Any Thunderstorms???
I have not read any of the books in this series but I have thought about it. We had some impressive thunderstorms. God is mighty! Is the heatwave less severe in your area?
Thank you for the reviews of this series
Thank you for the reviews.
Your welcome! Stay dry Maw Maw!
I will try, Sweetie.
Wow! It is so nice to find good books to read and recommend. Thank you for your review SlimJim ☺️